"Yes," said Mr Parkley. "It took a beggarly mongrel foreigner five years, no doubt; but it would not take an enterprising Englishman five weeks."

The Cuban's hand went into his breast again as he heard the words "beggarly mongrel foreigner," and Captain Studwick grasped a marlin-spike, ready to strike his arm down if he drew a weapon; but the rage was crushed down directly, and Laure laughed again derisively.

"Go, then, fools, if you like. But I know: it is an empty threat. Ha, ha, ha! Go alone. A pleasant voyage, Senor Parkley, and you, too, Senor Captain. You will perhaps find me there before you."

"Perhaps," said Mr Parkley. "But go I will, and hang me if I come back till I have found it."

"Well, for the matter o' that, Master Parkley and Capen Studwick," said a rough voice, "if it means putting the schooner at anchor where them Spanish galleons was sunk in the Carib Sea, if you'll let me take the wheel, and you'll find fine weather, I'll steer you to the very spot."

STORY ONE, CHAPTER NINE.

'POLLO'S EVIDENCE.

"What?" shrieked the Cuban, rushing forward, with outstretched hands, but only to control himself directly and smile contemptuously.

"I says as I'll clap this here schooner right over two or three spots where old ships went down, and also off the coast where one on 'em lies buried in the sand, all but her ribs and a few planks," said the old sailor, Sam Oak.u.m.

"He's a liar--a cheat. Bah!" exclaimed the Cuban with contempt.

"I wouldn't adwise you to say them sorter things, gov'nor," said Oak.u.m, quietly. "I knowd a chap as rubbed the skin off the bridge of his nose wunst and blacked both his eyes agin my fist for saying less than that."

"Bah!" said the Cuban, snapping his fingers.

"And do you know, Oak.u.m?" exclaimed Mr Parkley, eagerly. "Can you prove it?"

"If anybody would pa.s.s a man a bit o' 'bacco, I could, I dessay," said the old fellow quietly. "Thanky, mate. Just pa.s.s the word for 'Pollo to come aft, will you? He's in the galley."

A sailor who had given Oak.u.m the tobacco ran forward, while all waited in breathless attention--the Cuban standing like a statue, with folded arms, but, in spite of his apparent composure, smoking furiously, like a volcano preparing for an eruption.

The sailor came back directly.

"Says he's cooking the pa.s.sengers' dinner, and can't leave it, sir,"

said the sailor.

"Tell the cook to come here directly. I want him," exclaimed the captain, sternly; and the sailor ran off, returning with 'Pollo, the black cook, rubbing his shiny face.

"I speck, sah, if de rose meat burn himself all up, you no blame de cook, sah," he said.

"No, no, 'Pollo; only answer a question or two."

"Yes, sah; d'reckly, sah."

"Look ye here, 'Pollo, old mate," said Oak.u.m; "you and I have had some rum voyages in our time, old n.i.g.g.e.r."

"You call me ole mate, sah," said 'Pollo, angrily, "I answer hundred tousan queshtum. You call me n.i.g.g.e.r, sah, I dam if I say noder word."

"It's all right, 'Pollo, I won't any more. You're a coloured gentleman; and, though I chaff you sometimes, I know that I can always depend on you, fair weather or foul."

The black nodded, showed his white teeth, and his eyes twinkled.

"Now look here, 'Pollo, old man; do you remember being in the little brig off Caraccas, when we had the gold?"

"Yes, sah, I membah well; and membah when we had do tree hundred lilly women aboard de big ship, and de big horse alligator woman. Yah, yah, yah!"

"So do I, 'Pollo; but what did we do when we were in the brig?"

"Catch de fish," said 'Pollo.

"To be sure we did; but what did we find lying down fathoms deep in the clear water?"

"You mean de ole 'Panish gold ship, sah?"

"There!" said Sam Oak.u.m, turning round with a grim smile on his mahogany face; "Ain't that there corroborative evidence, sir?"

"We find two ole ship, sah, and one on de sh.o.r.e," said 'Pollo, volubly, "and I dibe down, sah."

"Did you find anything?" said Mr Parkley, eagerly.

"No, sah, him too deep down, but I membah perfect well, sah, all about 'em. All 'Panish ship, sah."

"That will do, 'Pollo," said Mr Parkley. "Now go and see to the dinner. By-the-way, 'Pollo, will you come into the cabin after dinner, and join Mr Oak.u.m in drinking a gla.s.s of wine to the success of our voyage?"

"I hab great pleasure, sah," said the black, with his eyes twinkling; and as he went away bowing and smiling, Mr Parkley turned to the Cuban.

"Now, Mr Lorry, or Laure, or whatever your name is, will you have the goodness to step ash.o.r.e? This is my ship, and this expedition belongs to me and my partner. You have refused to carry out your contract before twenty witnesses, and now you see that I can do without you."

"But," said Laure, "the man is mad. He cannot take you; but I will not carry my revenge so far. Make me a good concession and I will consent to go."

"I thank you, Senor Laure, for endorsing the statement of our old friend, Oak.u.m, and the ship's cook, and since you are so kind, I will make you a concession."

"You consent," said the Cuban, more eagerly than he intended.

"Yes," said Mr Parkley. "You shall be allowed to walk off the ship instead of being kicked off. Captain Studwick, see that man off this deck."

A look that was almost demoniacal overspread the Cuban's face, and shaking his fist menacingly, he stepped on to the wharf and disappeared through the crowd.

"Now, then," said Mr Parkley, triumphantly, "we are ready. Captain Studwick, westward ho! Hallo, what now? What is it, Rasp?" as that individual came panting up.

"Are you sure as you've got all your company aboard?" said Rasp.

"Yes, I think so. Eh, captain?"

"My crew is all right, certainly," said the captain. "I don't know anything about yours."

"To be sure, I did not think to look after them as they had promised to be aboard in good time. Where are John Tolly and James Morrison?"